INTER - ROMA PREVIEW....Totti and co want a Capital Derby Final....

                                       

Inter stand between the Giallorossi and a DERBY DELLA CAPITALE Coppa Italia Final. Rodrigo Palacio's goal just before half time gave the Nerrazuri hope that they can turn the tie around at the Meazza. The Capital Club lead the tie 2-1 thanks to Florenzi and Destro goals. Internazionale know that this match is the most important of what has been a hugely disappointing season. A win here and a Coppa Italia final date is set. Lazio awaits the winner of this match.

Francesco Totti recently celebrated 20 years as a Serie A footballer and would want more than anything, for Roma to reach the Coppa Italia final and get one over the Biancoceleste.  Inter Milan have caused the Romans pain and heartache in recent years. Whether it has been in the Italian League or the Cup, things have gone Inter's way many times. Today is the the perfect opportunity to right all those wrongs. The Giallorossi have in their hands to qualify from this game. A 2-1 lead is already in the bag and they face a massively depleted Inter team ho lost Walter Gargano and Yuto Nagatomo to long term injuries in the Weekend's defeat at Cagliari. The Inter injury list is not only long, but lustrous. Tonio Cassano, Diego Milito and the man who scored the vital away goal, Rodrigo Palacio, are among those currently absent. That leaves Stramaccioni with only Tomasso Rocchi as the only recognized striker in the Squad. The Veteran ex-Lazio skipper is a proven goal scorer and would enjoy a Final against the Club where he made his name and is one of their greatest ever goalscorers.

Roma caretaker boss, Andreazzoli has been tinkering and changing the lineup in matches played under him so far. His team's 2-1 win at Torino kept their European ambitions alive. Erik Lamela, Miralem Pjanic and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo were treated for minor knocks after the game in Turin, but should be fit in time for this crucial game.

Inter have the edge in Coppa Italia meetings. 7 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats is what the stats read in matches played against Roma. However, in the last 6 meetings in all competitions, the Nerrazuri have failed to register a victory over their rivals. 3 draws and 3 defeats tell the story of how Moratti's Inter have fared. They need big performances from the players available to turn this tie around. It be be a very difficult job because the players missing have been their very best this term. The likes of Fredy Guarin, Javier 'II TRATTORE' Zanetti and others must play the game of their lives. The tractor needs no extra motivation. Class is permanent.

Everyone or at least, most people want to see a DERBY DELLA CAPITALE Cup Final. Inter can spoil the party with a win tonight. Although it is unlikely, considering the number of players missing for the hosts.  'Er Pupone' Totti knows the weight of the task ahead of them. The Meazza has not been a happy hunting ground for Roma in years gone by. The co-Landlords of San Siro have denied the Giallorossi far too many titles in the last 8 years. Victory tonight will abate some of the misery. Both are looking to qualify for the Europa League. In the League, only one point separates both (Roma-6th, Inter-7th). The Milan club have experienced a free fall in the last three months. From Scudetto chasers to Europa League qualification contenders. Hard to take even for the most passionate Interisti. If all the players were fit, it would have been a very close match. The way it is now, anything other than a Roma triumph will be a big surprise. Football is an unpredictable sport..that's why we are LOVE with it. Blood and Tears will be shed today, Let's see who emerges with tears of joy.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
INTER-
Handanovic, ZANETTI, Chivu, Samuel, Periera, Guarin, Kovacic, Cambiasso, Kuzmanovic,  Alvarez, ROCCHI

You can see for yourself how bad Inter have become since Mourinho left for pastures new. All the best players have moved on , leaving only a few experienced heads and youngsters who have only flattered to deceive. Some are coming through and it is only next season we will know if they are up to it.

ROMA-
Stekelenburg, Torosidis, Marquinhos, Cstan, Balzaretti, Florenzi, Perrota, Pjanic, Lamela, Osvaldo, TOTTI

Frightening line up. Enough said.

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WEST HAM-MAN UNITED PREVIEW....Red devils intent on wrapping up the 20th ASAP!!!

                            

Manchester United know better than to underestimate the hammers. The east Londoners are famous for causing United pain in previous title run-ins. Twenty-one years ago, a defeat over there cost United the title. A feat repeated three years after when the red army could only draw 1-1. Czech goalie, Ludek Miklosko thwarted Andy Cole on many occasions that fateful day. Afterwards, Blackburn were crowned champions. Tonight, Manchester United will be wary of the threat West Ham pose all round. An assured performance against Stoke on Sunday was just what the Champions-elect needed to take away some of the pain that emanated from the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Theatre. Fergie will also be glad that his hitman, RVP has returned to goal scoring form. His penalty at the Britannia ended a shambolic run of 10 games without finding the back of the net. The celebrations after will go down in history as one of the most passionate. The way the Dutchman held on to SAF and the high five that followed, was just touching..and that is putting it mildly.More of that tonight and United will be closer to their 20th domestic crown. A great achievement.

The task will not be easy if recent match-ups are looked at. A 2-2 draw in the F.A Cup meeting three months ago is one example. Fergie's men needed a last gasp RvP goal to secure a replay which they won by a single goal. In the EPl fixture at Old Trafford, it was the Dutch striker yet again who came up with the goods, scoring the only goal that separated both sides. So tonight's fixture is as difficult as any other, especially at a place where Manchester City failed to come out with all three points and Chelsea, soundly beaten.

West Ham United lie in 12th place on the log with 38 points from 32 games. Not exactly what Big Sam envisaged when they got promoted. The signings they made and the players they have are capable of shooting the hammers to the top 10 of the Premier League. However, improvements in fortunes for West Brom and Capital One Cup Champions, Swansea has denied them that ambition. The objective now is not to be drawn into any relegation battle come the tail end of the season. Six more points and they are home and dry. Six games to achieve that, starting with tonight against the biggest club in the land, Manchester United. The hammers earned a satisfactory point away to the Saints at the weekend. Andy Carroll was the catalyst yet again. His 5 goals in the the last 7 games has helped the hammers to good effect. He is back to his best..or on his way back. Gary O'Neil has been playing quite well of late and should provide the needed cover for the injured Joe Cole.

The red devils are still without the ginger maestro, Paul Scholes and Ashley Young is injured yet again. Phil Jones could feature yet again after excellent shifts v Manchester City and Stoke. West Ham are also a very physical team, so the League Leaders need tall and strong individuals at the back. Robin Van Persie needed that goal at the weekend to restore his confidence. No one can bet against him going on a scoring run in the games that remain. The gaffer has demanded that all six games left are must wins as Chelsea's 95 points record haul is the target. It must be surpassed! Wayne Rooney was voted MOTM by Manchester United fans after a great showing in midfield v Stoke. The Englishman is four goal shy of the 200 mark for the table toppers. He will be motivated to do that before the season ends. A place among the strikers will be his wish, although Fergie doesn't necessarily grant wishes. I doubt if he will be played in midfield again tonight. Cleverley should return to the lineup.

The red devils have faced West Ham 40 times in the Fergie era, winning 26 (65%), drawing 9 and losing just 5. Based on this stat, we know a 27th win is the expected outcome. Nevertheless, this one will be very tough.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
WEST HAM-
Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, O'Brien, O;Neil, Diame, NOLAN, Vaz Te, Jarvis, CARROLL

Big Sam will not tinker with his squad too much for this game. The bulk of the team above have served him very well. Andy Carroll is the main threat. Nolan knows how to score winners against Manchester United and his manager knows all about that.


MANCHESTER UNITED
DDG, Jones, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa, Welbeck, Rooney, RVP

Fergie will be biting more than he can chew if Rio features in this game. 180 minutes in 6 days is a lot already for the 34 year old who has a weak back. He will most likely be rested for this one. Vidic is expected to face a late fitness test for a calf strain. He should be fine. His aerial prowess is required tonight. Danny Welbeck and Cleverley should come in for TonyV and Chicharito, with Rooney pushed up top. The Ecuadorian winger is short of ideas this season and must sit out this one. As usual, RVP will lead the line. Due a hat-trick?

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